THE TOTAL neglect of four state-owned companies in the Region has given leeway to unscrupulous individuals and business operators to invade these companies for their illegal purposes. These were one-time vibrant companies that provided jobs for many people over decades ago. But, today, the four companies are defunct, and their structures and expensive equipment are fast deteriorating.
They include GIHOC Meat Product Company Limited at Zuarungu, Northern Star Tomato Company in the Talensi District, Ghana Rice Production Company at Kumbosigo, near Bolgatanga, and the Catering Rest House in Bolgatanga, near the Regional Hospital. Apart from the superfluous GIHOC Meat Product Company Limited at Zuarungu, where caretakers have managed to keep the vast yard tidy, and the equipment intact, but the story at other sites was totally different.
Established in 1965, the activities at the factory came to a halt in 1995, due to lack of raw materials. An elderly man, who gave his name as Martin Adongo, said he was a technician during the functioning days of the company. He told the Regional Minister, Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, that the collapse of the company in 1995 was politically motivated. According to him, as of date, some of the machines only need repairs or overhauling, and it may be difficult to find fitting spare parts for them today.
Thieves, Mr. Adongo said, are now removing the wire mesh used as fencing, and selling them as raw materials to blacksmiths who use them for the commercial production of dog chains. At the Ghana Rice Production Company, the story was horrifying. The building is now accommodating Indian hemp smokers and other hardened criminals, who operate in gangs. Upon seeing the Minister and his entourage, the criminals fled into nearby bushes, apparently, to avoid any the possibility of their arrest.
The stench that greeted the Minister and his team was more than enough to anger him. As if that was not enough, the team also observed that a private foodstuffs buyer hasd taken over the company’s warehouse, and now bags and stores rice and fertiliser. Though the occupant was not present at the time of the Minister’s visit, some carpenters he reportedly had engaged were busily replacing the old roofing sheets with new ones. The MCE, Mr. Ayagle claimed, the occupant could not be reached, even though the assembly had made efforts to invite him to come and explain how he secured space in the building. Saddened by the development, Dr. Avea ordered the immediate padlocking of the building.
Meanwhile, the remaining land belonging to the company has been encroached upon as private residential houses are sited all around the building. At this point, the Minister looked dejected and furious. He lamented that of all the companies he visited so far, the rice mill was the most uncared for among them. “It is the most dilapidated.” And most annoyingly, encroachers have also taken over the land.
“If we find out that it is an illegal possession, definitely, you know what I will do. If it means breaking down the structures, I’ll break them down, once they advise me on it. I’ve done that before as a Minister in the Upper West. I have no fears about that,” he warned. The Minister’s dissatisfaction and expression of worry were not different when he visited the Northern Star Tomato Company at Pwalugu. His language was straightforward. He described the company as his biggest disappointment, and its premises “a graveyard”. No single management staff was found there, except a certain Francis Bozembe, who claimed to be the security personnel.
The place was locked up and no keys present to open the place for the Minister to enter the production unit, let alone examine the machines. Interestingly, this is the factory Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Trade and Industry, early this year visited and promised the government was going to revamp it within the first quarter. What the sector minister did not know, however, was that the people of the region did not take him serious, for they believed it was an empty promise. Why, because Hannah Tetteh, who handed over the same ministry to him, did the same last year when she visited the factory.
The once-vibrant hospitality establishment, the Catering Rest House,, has also lost its prestige. Some old managers of the place now have some so-called powerful individuals are now condoning and conniving and selling the land and structures of the establishment to some members of the public. Many others are also occupying the chalets free of charge because government does not seem to have authority over it any longer.
The Regional Minister was touring the defunct companies last week in the company of the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Edward Ayiriba Ayagle, and some officials of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). His visit was unannounced.